Page 76

76

Lucas

Sitting at the head table with Kaylee on my right and Simon on my left, my heart feels at ease. Everyone who came to help us take back Oak Fur is mingling with the innocent members Kaylee and I will lead, and the room is filled with smiles and laughter. Aunt Amelia and Uncle David were welcomed back warmly, the two being surrounded by wolves who had missed them dearly. Titus happily made his rounds around the dining hall, ensuring his wolves were being kind while we all ate breakfast.

But the best part of this morning was watching all the pups Kaylee used to train run up to her, wrapping my mate in a group hug as she cried her heart out, telling the pups how much she missed them. I know she’s meant to be an alpha leading as an equal beside me, but I can see her taking on more traditional Luna roles in addition if the pups continue rushing to her as they did an hour ago.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I hear my aunt ask, noticing that Kaylee has left the table to grab another helping of apple strudel.

“I’m just thinking about how calm the dining hall feels,” I mumble, sipping my coffee. It’s gone cold, and I chug it back with a sigh.

“It does feel lighter in here,” Aunt Amelia agrees, her eyes softening as she stares out into the room.

“So what made you come and join the head table?” I decided to ask. My aunt had looked like she was enjoying herself mingling with Oak Fur wolves.

“Amos called my cell phone a few moments ago,” she answers, turning her gray gaze to me. “He’ll be here tomorrow to give you the scroll that says you have seven days to prove yourselves as leaders. He’ll also be staying here for a while to oversee you and Kaylee turning this pack around.”

I sighed, turning to see Kaylee talking by the large bay window with an Elder. Dark shadows show under her eyes, but she smiles and laughs happily. This is how a true leader should be with their pack.

“She was meant for this role,” Simon states from beside me, a grin on his face.

“You can tell her power has settled since killing Marilyn,” Ash chimes in from behind me, a grin on his face. Devon is beside him, a mug of coffee in his hands as he stands beside his mate. Looking at Ash, I’m glad he joined us—he and Devon look right at home.

“Kaylee just needed a pack to lead to be the wolf she is meant to be,” Simon muses. Turning to look at Kaylee, my vision blurs for a moment before the scene changes. The pack dining hall has changed, the tables newer and the walls a soft cream color. Kaylee stands by the bay window, her long blond hair shimmering in the light. Beside her is the same little girl I saw in my first vision, my daughter Aspen, who clutches at the hem of Kaylee’s dress. I blink, the scene returning to normal, but this time, Kaylee is walking towards me, her eyes sparkling as she takes in my dazed expression.

[Another vision?] she asks through our link.

[Yeah. I’ll tell you about it later,] I answer. It’s a vision of the future, one we will build together as alphas of Oak Fur.

No.

Not Oak Fur. Oak Fur has died with Ramos and Marilyn. If we want to be a better pack with a better life for all its members, then we will need a new name.

“You have that twinkle in your eye,” Simon teases from beside me, his attention instantly being captured by Evette, who has joined us with a plate full of watermelon.

“What are you thinking about?” Aunt Amelia asks, her eyes watching as Daisy and Titus joke around with Royce, Avery, and David.

“Changing the name of Oak Fur when we’re initiated as alphas,” I answer, wrapping my arms around Kaylee as she plops into my lap.

“Do you have a name idea?” she asks, her mouth full of apple strudel again. I chuckle, wiping away the crumbs from her lips as she blushes.

“I have one in mind, but we can discuss it later. Right now, we need to regain the respect and trust of our pack.”